LIFX: Aussie inventor adds smarts to the light bulb

The LIFX is another – brilliant – project being funded by the Kickstarter model, and I’m pleased to say that it all started with an Aussie inventor, Phil Bosua.

Phil regards the light bulb as one of the great inventions, but one that has been essentially unchanged since the late 1800s. After six months work, Bosua and his team have come up with the LIFX (pronounced ‘life X’), the “world’s smartest, most energy efficient light bulb”.

“LIFX answers a need that is well and truly overdue. Everyone in the world needs light bulbs. Existing light bulbs are based on an archaic technology that threatens our environment. Light bulbs consume approximately 20% of electricity in homes around the world. They need to be more efficient, smarter and last longer. In the twenty-first century, people need lighting that matches the “smart culture” and eco aware sensibilities of our day.”

The LIFX is an LED bulb, with the system controlled by one master bulb, which is WiFi-enabled. It will be available in three connection types – bayonet cap, edison screw and downlight. It will work in a voltage range from 110v to 260v, so it’s suitable for use in most countries. The prototype LIFX is rated around the 60 watt mark. Power usage is around one-tenth that of a standard incandescent bulb, and a LIFX bulb should last 25 years / 40,000 hours.

While the LIFX can be operated by a regular light switch, the real advance is that it can be controlled by a smartphone app. With the app, the LIFX bulbs can be controlled from anywhere, either bulb by bulb, or the whole house, office or business. The bulbs can be dimmed, change colour, match music, work as night lights, and more, and all controlled via the LIFX app.

If you think the LIFX is smart now, the company is also making available a LIFX Software Development Kit, so a lot more functionality will be added when developers all over the world think about how to add new features to the LIFX system.

The LIFX team was originally looking for $100,000 in funding, by 13 November, 2012. At the time of writing, $625,262 has been pledged. The LIFX reaction:

WOW! We were hoping LIFX would resonate with you guys but never ever imagined you would fall in love with our smartbulbs as much as we have and so quickly.

A huge thank you to everyone that has already pledged. We are completely blown away by your support!

Keep spreading the news. With your help we are about to reinvent the light bulb.

Pledges, cost and delivery date of the LIFX

A pledge of $69 will net you one bulb, $119 will see you receive two. Higher amounts pledged, the more LIFX smartbulbs will be received. The projected delivery date of the LIFX is March 2013. To contribute, visit the LIFX page on KickStarter.

But here, watch the video below, and see just how smart a device the LIFX is:

Comments?

So, what do you think? Pretty neat idea, isn’t it! I’m particularly looking forward to the possibilities that releasing the Software Development Kit will bring. One idea that could go wrong is the LIFX light changing colour when new Facebook or Twitter updates are received. I can see people with huge social media follower numbers going crazy Cold War torture style!

I’ d love to hear your thoughts on the LIFX. Leave your comments in the ‘Leave A Reply’ section at the bottom of this page.

Scott Fitzgerald started TechStyles in 2010, after 5 years of running the GadgetGuy website, so gadgets and tech have been a big part of his life for quite a while now. Prior to that he edited the Macquarie Dictionary, Travelmate.com.au and NeeditNow.com. Find Scott on Google+